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16 Staff Report - Downtown Way-Finding Sign Project
DATE: COUNCIL/AGENCY AGENDA REPORT OCTOBER 26, 2004 MEETING DATE: 11/1/04 ITEM NO. i 16 "--TO: FROM: SUBJECT: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL! CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY DEBRA 1. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PROJECT 04-38 -DOWNTOWN WAY-FINDING SIGN PROJECT A. REVIEW AND DISCUSS STAFF PROPOSAL OF WAY-FINDING PROGRAM FOR THE DOWNTOWN B. PROVIDE DIRECTION ON THE COLOR SCHEME AND/OR OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE DOWNTOWN WAY-FINDING PROGRAM. C. ADOPT RESOLUTION APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZING STAFF TO ADVERTISE THE PROJECT FOR BIDS RECOMMENDATION: 1. Review and discuss staff proposal on Way-Finding Program for the Downtown. 2. Provide direction on the color scheme and/or other elements of the DowntownWay-Finding Program. 3. Adopt resolution (Attachment 1) approving plans and specifications and authorizing staff to advertise the project for bids. BACKGROUND: Over the years, numerous styles, colors, and sizes ofsigns have been installed in the downtown area to identify public parking lots and points of interest. There has not been a consistent rationale for such sign placement, which has caused confusion for downtown visitors. To address this problem, staffbegan to look at ways to improve and enhance informational sign placement for the downtown area. The goal was to design a sign program which was clear, consistent, and aesthetically pleasing. Staffis proposing in this report a sign style and location plan as well as a color scheme for the WayFinding Program. PREPARED BY: UbHNE. CURTIS Director of Parks and Public Works Reviewed by: .t?S,) Assistant Town Manager ©/(Attorney __ __Community Development Revised: 10/27/04 117 am Reformatted: 5/30/02 N:\B&E\COUNCIL REPORTS\04-30.wayfinding.p&s-with fiscaJ.wpd PAGE 2 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL! CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SUBJECT: PROJECT 04-38 -WAY-FINDING SIGN PROJECT OCTOBER 26, 2004 DISCUSSION: The proposed Way-Finding Sign Project will standardize public parking signs in the downtown area and improve informational signage. Staff is proposing clear, uniform, and aesthetically pleasing signage for Santa Cruz Avenue, University Avenue, and their adj acent streets and public parking lots to direct visitors to the downtown and various points ofinterest such as the Los Gatos Civic Center, Police Department, Library, Museums, Post Office, and shopping and dining. Staffconducted a ride-along with a downtown merchant, downtown employee, parking coordinator from another municipality, and an individual unfamiliar with Los Gatos to get input about the new way finding sign proj ect. The concept plan was developed by staff, and reviewed and approved by the Transportation and Parking Commission. The results of these efforts have been incorporated into the project and will be presented in a table-top diorama to the Town Council on November 1, 2004. This new way finding sign proj ect will simplifY the effort for visitors in the downtown area looking for parking spaces, by providing clear and simple directional signs with arrows pointing to the public parking lots in the downtown area. This concept was tested in the ride-along and participants found it to be very effective and functional, even for those who had never been to downtown Los Gatos. The overall style of the signs follows the concept that had been previously adopted for downtown area signage. The signs are 18" x 24" with an arch on top ofthe sign showing a historical building in the downtown wrapped around by the text" Town ofLos Gatos." The recommended color for the parking lot signs is light brown and tan in keeping with the signage color scheme previously approved. The sign material would be highly reflective, allowing drivers to easily see the signs, while aligning with the character of the historic downtown. For the informational signs, several colors (brown, blue, and green) were considered and the consensus of the Transportation and Parking Commission and staffwas that the use ofgreen would allow visitors to distinguish these signs from the parking signs and that green would be a complementary color for the downtown. Samples of these color schemes are provided for Council review and direction (Attachment 2). Upon Council approval, the project will be advertised and implementation ofthe new way-finding signs will begin in January, 2005 to be completed before the resurfacing of Santa Cruz Avenue in Summer 2005. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that the Town Council/Redevelopment Agency adopt the attached Resolution approving plans and specifications for the Way-Finding Sign Project. Upon Council approval, the project will be advertised and the lowest responsible bid will be recommended to Council for award on December 20, 2004. Staff is also seeking Council direction regarding the color scheme for parking parking and informational signs. PAGE 3 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL! CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SUBJECT: PROJECT 04-38 -WAY-FINDING SIGN PROJECT OCTOBER 26, 2004 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: This project is Categorically Exemptpursuant to Sections 15301©) and 15304(b) ofthe State CEQA guidelines. FISCAL IMPACT: The estimated construction cost for this project is $ 50,000. There are sufficient funds in Downtown Parking Management Project, 930-0336 to fund this project, per the approved FY 2004-05 Capital Improvement Program as demonstrated below: : Fiscal Year Actual FY2004-05 Or Planned To Date i Balance $ 572,346 ; $ 227,654 I $ 572,346 ; $ 227,654 I 800,000 800,000 FY2003/04 FY2003-04 � � Budget FY 2003/04 Adopted Budget i $ Total RDA Downtown Parking Management 930-0336: $ ................................ .........j' ,....................................... .....;........ .....................; FY2004/05 ;FY 2004/..05 Car ry Fo..rward _.._ _ _-_ 4-_ _ __.._ .. Estimated Cost of Project 50,000 ITotal RDADowntown Parking Management 930-03361 $ 227,654 $ 80,488 $ 147,166 I Attachments: 1. Resolution approving plans and specifications for Project 04-38 -Way-Finding Sign Project 2. Sample Way-Finding Color Schemes RESOLUTION RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCILIREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS APPROVING THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR PROJECT 04-38 -WAY-FINDING SIGN PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING STAFF TO ADVERTISE THE PROJECT FOR BIDS WHEREAS, plans and specifications for the Way-Finding Sign Project have been prepared by the Town Engineer and duly filed with the Town Clerk/Secretary; and WHEREAS, the Town Council/Redevelopment Agency ofthe Town ofLos Gatos has reviewed said plans and specifications. WHEREAS, the public improvements are a benefit to the proj ect area or immediate neighborhood; WHEREAS, that no other reasonable means offinancing such public improvements are available to the community; WHEREAS, that the Redevelopment Agency's contribution to the cost of the public improvement will assist in elimination of one or more blighting conditions in the project area; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Town Council/Redevelopment Agency hereby approves the plans and specifications for the Way-Finding Sign Project. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Town Clerk/Secretary is hereby authorized and directed to advertise the Way-Finding Sign Project for bids in the manner prescribed by the Town Municipal Code. Attachment 1 PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council/Redevelopment Agency ofthe Town ofLos Gatos held on the day of , 2004 by the following vote: AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: SIGNED: MAYOR CHAIR OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA ATTEST: CLERK/SECRETARY OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA Attachment 2